Explosions near finish line of Boston Marathon

[markomalley]

New York Post reporting that authorities have ID’d a suspect (or “person of interest”) in hospital. A Saudi national.

The story says: “In addition, Boston police have surveillance video of someone bringing multiple backpacks to blast site, according to CBS News.”

Prayers for the victims, their families, and the first responders.

On edit: here is a link to the CBS Boston story:

Orr is reporting that authorities have recovered surveillance video from the area which shows a man with what looked to be two backpacks near the scene just moments before the blast.

 

[GangGreen]

I wouldn’t trust anything that the NY Post says…

 

[gilliam]

Boston police chief: “No suspect in custody”

Ed Davis, the Boston police commissioner, responded to reports that a suspect has been identified or arrested during a press conference just now.
“Those reports are not true,” Davis said. “There is no suspect in custody.”

washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/wp/2013/04/15/explosions-at-boston-marathon-finish-line/?Post+generic=%3Ftid%3Dsm_twitter_washingtonpost#liveblog-entry-11348

The press briefing just now. He said there was no suspect in custody

 

[MJE]

Andrew McCarthy @ NRO notes it is Tax Day & Patriots Day.

 

[markomalley]

I wouldn’t trust anything that the NY Post says…

ATF arriving at Brigham & Women’s Hospital

Also, Kate Merrill from WBZ reports that there is a major police presence:

 

[tabycat]

Fox reported two dead and about a hundred taken to the hospital. One of their staff had been in the area, but is alright. Reported third exploision at JFK librery was more fire and posibly not connected with first two. :grouphug:

 

[gilliam]

ATF arriving at Brigham & Women’s Hospital

Also, Kate Merrill from WBZ reports that there is a major police presence:

Police are in force at all nearby hotels and hospitals and parks.

ATF are who you call when you want to ask people what they may not have seen. Which is what is happening in many different areas. The officials are in the investigative stage

Don’t jump to conclusions, remember the 48 hour rule.

 

[Ysara]

Praying for the dead and injured … Dear God be with the families of the dead and injured have mercy on the souls of the dead may they rest in peace

Mary Mother of Sorrows Pray for us!

 

[LilyM]

Praying for the dead and injured … Dear God be with the families of the dead and injured have mercy on the souls of the dead may they rest in peace

Mary Mother of Sorrows Pray for us!

Amen!

I’m in Australia and it’s all over the news here, as some of our London Paralympic athletes were taking part in the marathon.

 

[markomalley]

Police are in force at all nearby hotels and hospitals and parks.

ATF are who you call when you want to ask people what they may not have seen. Which is what is happening in many different areas. The officials are in the investigative stage

Don’t jump to conclusions, remember the 48 hour rule.

I’m not jumping to conclusions.

Just putting out data.

(Note: if the 48 hour rule is a CAF rule, I’ll excuse myself from the thread)

 

[gilliam]

TWO UNEXPLODED DEVICES found, MA Rep. Keating says. 1 at hotel & 1 at an undisclosed location.

 

[gilliam]

(Note: if the 48 hour rule is a CAF rule, I’ll excuse myself from the thread)

Naw, not a CAF rule, just a caution to give any event 48 hours to shake out.

 

[Holly3278]

This is just so incredibly sad. It also makes me really angry that someone would commit such an evil act.

May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

Saint Michael the Archangel, holy patron saint of emergency responders, please assist them. Amen.

Jesus, please help those responsible for taking care of the wounded, investigating the crime, and bringing about justice as well as anyone else involved. Send the Holy Spirit to comfort all involved and all who are upset by this. Amen.

 

[markomalley]

I wouldn’t trust anything that the NY Post says…

How about NBC?

easycaptures.com/fs/uploaded/605/5244093922.jpg

Keep in mind that the police will not officially confirm anything until way late.

 

[gilliam]

NBC News: Eight-year-old killed in bombing

NBC News just reported that an eight-year-old was killed in today’s bombing.

 

[gilliam]

More from the Times:
Police officials said they did not yet have any suspects in custody. A person briefed on preliminary developments in the investigation said that members of Boston’s Joint Terrorist Task Force were at Brigham and Women’s Hospital interviewing a wounded man seen running from the scene of the two blasts, near 671 Boylston Street. The person said that police investigators had contacted the local gas and electric company and determined that the explosions were not related to gas or electrical service.
The authorities also found a device at St. James and Trinity Streets that did not explode, the person said, and two other devices were found, including one in Newton, outside of Boston.
So there were … five bombs? ABC is also claiming that they were triggered remotely, which you could have guessed from the apparent fact that they were placed in garbage cans. As noted earlier, that’s not AQ’s usual M.O.
hat tip

 

[markomalley]

More from the Timesolice officials said they did not yet have any suspects in custody. A person briefed on preliminary developments in the investigation said that members of Boston’s Joint Terrorist Task Force were at Brigham and Women’s Hospital interviewing a wounded man seen running from the scene of the two blasts, near 671 Boylston Street. The person said that police investigators had contacted the local gas and electric company and determined that the explosions were not related to gas or electrical service.
The authorities also found a device at St. James and Trinity Streets that did not explode, the person said, and two other devices were found, including one in Newton, outside of Boston.
So there were … five bombs? ABC is also claiming that they were triggered remotely, which you could have guessed from the apparent fact that they were placed in garbage cans. As noted earlier, that’s not AQ’s usual M.O.
hat tip

There are reports of ball bearings being used with the device to serve as shrapnel. That is something done both by Al Qaeda and by Hamas in the past. (No, I am not suggesting Palestinians…there would be no connection)

 

[oldcelt]

Police are in force at all nearby hotels and hospitals and parks.

ATF are who you call when you want to ask people what they may not have seen. Which is what is happening in many different areas. The officials are in the investigative stage

Don’t jump to conclusions, remember the 48 hour rule.

It’s a good rule of thumb.

 

[Kelfa28]

I am so angry about this.

I love Boston and, excluding the politics, everything about it!

I love the marathon and I’m so upset and angry that it’s been marred with tragedy. It’s supposed to be a fun, wonderful day as it always has been.

Everyone goes to cheer the runners and then enjoy opening day at Fenway. It’s tradition.
It’s one of my favorite days in Boston.

Marathon day is supposed to be fun and joyous…it’s not supposed to be this.

 

[oldcelt]

I am so angry about this.

I love Boston and, excluding the politics, everything about it!

I love the marathon and I’m so upset and angry that it’s been marred with tragedy. It’s supposed to be a fun, wonderful day as it always has been.

Everyone goes to cheer the runners and then enjoy opening day at Fenway. It’s tradition.
It’s one of my favorite days in Boston.

Marathon day is supposed to be fun and joyous…it’s not supposed to be this.

Unfortunately, that is probably precisely why whoever did this chose today. Take what is normally a great day for people and turn it into a horrible memory.

So very sad.